How to Safely and Efficiently Backup Encrypted Data on ZFS
In the world of personal data storage, there are few names as trusted as [Michael Lynch]. The technology guru recently replaced his Synology NAS with a custom-built solution using ZFS, a powerful filesystem known for its ability to backup encrypted data without the need for decryption first. However, [Michael] hit a roadblock when he discovered that his chosen software, TrueNAS, would only backup unencrypted ZFS data to another TrueNAS system. Fortunately, [Michael] found a workaround that, while not overly complicated, required a deep understanding of the system and some creative thinking. In this article, we’ll explore [Michael]’s solution and provide a step-by-step guide for how ZFS handles encrypted data.
The Solution: Shell Scripts for Encrypted Data Backups and Restores
The workaround [Michael] developed consists of a series of shell scripts designed to manage both full and incremental backups and restores of encrypted datasets. With this new system in place, [Michael] is now able to send backups to off-site cloud storage with minimal extra effort.
Monitoring Backups with Cronitor
In addition to his custom scripts, [Michael] also uses a paid service called Cronitor to monitor his backups. While the service does offer a free tier, [Michael] utilizes the paid version for its added features. Cronitor provides a unique URL that, when visited regularly, will notify the user if the cron job fails. By incorporating this URL into an existing job, [Michael] has the added peace of mind that his backups are being monitored.
Don’t Neglect Your Backups
In today’s world, so much of our lives are digitized and stored on various devices. It’s easy to neglect regular backups and not think about how we would recover from a data disaster. However, with [Michael]’s solution and tips, it’s time to take a few moments to consider our data storage solutions and how we can better secure and backup our precious information.
